Desired final outcome:
The desired final outcome of this project will be:
- A short summary report on the global overview of life cycle impacts related to specific functions supported by the use of ozone-depleting substances (and their alternatives) in key value chains.
- Have a structured summary of hotspots and key areas of intervention needed regarding the activities causing the most significant impacts.
- Highlight the most relevant findings and key messages for further communication.
Project proposals sought:
Applicants should submit project proposals, under the supervision and technical guidance of the Life Cycle Initiative and UN Environment Programme
Who can apply:
Academia (Research Institutes and Universities), Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), Not-for-Profit Organisations (NPOs)
Project budget:
The maximum budget for this project is $20,000, with in-kind contribution expected from the applicant.
Project duration:
The project implementation period is from January 2020 until March 2020.
How to apply:
Please send your project proposal using the template linked here, addressed to Mr. Feng WANG , and copy Ms. Joséphine Courtois
Timeline for application:
• Submission deadline: 31 January 2020, COB (19h CET)
• Notification of selection: 7 February 2020
Background
Ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and high-global warming potential hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) can be identified in the following applications and equipment:
• In each part of the cold food chain where refrigeration is necessary, such as cold storage facility, containers, food processing to extend refrigerated shelf life
• Refrigerants in commercial, home and vehicle air conditioners and refrigerators
• Refrigerants used for storing and transporting medicines
• Foam blowing agents
• Components in electrical equipment
• Industrial solvents
• Solvents for cleaning (including dry cleaning)
• Aerosol spray propellants
• Fumigants
There are different types of ozone depleting substances with different magnitudes of impacts on ozone depletion and climate change. The impacts happen in all life cycle stages of the products and services, including production, transport, use phase, and end-of-life. It is important to raise awareness of such impacts across the value chain, as well as the potential trade-offs related to alternative solutions to providing equivalent functions. This will improve the capacity and understanding to deliver better solutions and address undesired trade-offs in the phase-out of ODS.
Objective of the project
The Life Cycle Initiative unit of UNEP will coordinate a study, to carry out a hotspot analysis for the ODS-using application and equipment, regarding the impacts on ozone depletion and climate change as well as other relevant impacts. The outcome will be a short summary report on the global overview of the hotspots in different value chains using ODS to deliver their functions, and highlight the key areas of intervention. The report will inform the content of a set of infographics and communication materials highlighting the most relevant content (note: the communication work is not included in this assignment, and will be done separately after this report is accomplished).
Expected activities
The aim of this scoping step is to narrow down and summarise the key functions and hotspots causing the most significant impacts on ozone depletion and climate change.
• A scoping work to narrow down the key functions linked to the use of ODS (e.g. cold chain; habitat cooling… see below).
• Based on the scoping, a meta-analysis of databases from Ozone Secretariat and selected existing LCA studies that provide overview of the use and impacts of ODS in various application and equipment. The review will take stock of the effect of, for example, the impacts taking place during all life cycle stages for key ODS-delivered functions. Key hotspot regarding the activities causing the most significant impacts (including to ozone depletion and climate change) will be summarised in a structured manner.
• Summarising interpretation from the study and recommend key messages to be communicated to targeted audience, such as policy makers, business and the general public.
• Presentation of the main results to UNEP expert audience. Feedback from this event would then be used to improve the report on hotspots.
The qualification of the project proposal
Project proposals are sought which meet the following criteria:
• Proposals with clear objectives and feasible implementation plan.
• Proposals with a strong technical and science component on developing LCA studies and hotspot analysis of ODS use and release.
• Proposals with a strong technical and science component on interpreting and linking LCA and hotspot analysis studies to policy recommendations and actions.
• Proposals with a strong technical and science component on identifying benefits and challenges of LCA data and methods and deriving recommendations.
• Track record of the applicant.
Who can apply?
Applications are sought from Academia (Research Institutes, Universities), Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), Not-for-Profit Organisations (NPOs). The applying institution shall have a good track record on:
• Possessing a good understanding of sustainable consumption and production topics, Life Cycle Assessment, life cycle-based indicators and hotspots analysis.
• Proven expertise and experience in the life cycle assessment and hotspots analysis.
• Proven expertise and experience on formulating recommendations based on LCA studies as well as giving guidance on interpreting such recommendations.
• Proven expertise and experience in research and development of LCA methods.
• Proven experience of carrying out data collection and analysis on a literary basis and providing consultation.
• Published high quality reports or peer-reviewed journal papers related to the mentioned topics.
• Fluency in both written and spoken English.
How to apply?
Applicants should submit an application in the attached template to the program coordinator Feng Wang. Please also CC Ms. Joséphine Courtois. Please also email us for any inquiries.
